Siesta Key, Longboat Key

              Dining Review (Draft Copy)

4034 S Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231-3624
Phone:(941)921-7944
 

Meet the Manager:

Chris Robinson has been in the restaurant business for more than 15 years. Before taking over the Sarasota Steak & Ale he managed the Orlando Steak & Ale. He plans on bringing music to this establishment and is remodeling, one by one the individual dining areas. One patron gave him a lobster to hang on the wall. She comes in and dines next to her lobster.

Chris told us that they are very honored to have been selected the Number One steakhouse in the nation by Restaurants and Institutions Magazine Customer Survey.

Staff:

Left to right: Urlinda, Chris,

Our Waitress:

Erlinda was our waitress for the evening. An extremely competent, pleasant and friendly lady who made you feel comfortable. Originally from the Philippines Urlinda is married to an ex-Marine. Above she peppers our Caesar Salad that was more than ample, properly herbed and spiced.

Salad Bar:

If you want to create a great salad Steak & Ale is the place to do it. Long known for their fresh salad bar and one of the  most diverse offerings.

For those that want their salad prepared and something different we tried their Caesar Salad. Plentiful and seasoned just right.

Make no mistake Steak & Ale is very serious about their steaks. Their Top Sirloins are Certified Angus Beef  by a 3rd party. ( A standard more selective than USDA Prime or Choice beef, only 8% of steaks qualify for this standard.) And it shows in the flavor and tenderness. Pictured above our three choices, NY Strip, Nine Pepper Filet Mignon and Top Sirloin with Hawaiian Chicken. (Note: S&A doesn't use table cloths we laid out their cloth napkins to do our picture shoots.)

Desert:

Deserts to make your mouth water. Cheese cake with strawberry puree. Their famous 1001 Chocolate Chip Cake, four layers of moist chocolate, iced with Ghiradelli mousse, covered with chocolate chips and chocolate syrup.  We know you may be full after dinner but you have to sample bite and take the rest home for later.

Bam! We had to shoot their deserts again, we couldn't help ourselves. Plus we added their Berries Brulee, a seasonal special, fresh blueberries layered with crème brulee sauce in a martini glass, served with a cookie straw.

Beverages:

We asked our waitress Erlinda what was one of her recommendations for a before dinner drink. She recommended their Bloody Mary. A great suggestion. With a bit of spice but not hot. One of the most flavorful Bloody Mary's we have tasted. Served with a slice of cucumber and lime. If you want to pass on the salt rim, just ask. Delicious! We had to try their Cosmo, vodka, cranberry juice with a splash of lime. Yum with Kettle One.

Appetizers:

Always up for some great escargot with garlic bread we weren't disappointed. With a new twist we hadn't tried it was served with a mushroom cap accompanying each escargot. Yum. To the left in photo is Steak & Ale's  mushrooms stuffed with crab meat and covered in melted cheese. Melt in your mouth delicious. Center of photo is their famous Cheesy Garlic Loaf topped with three melted cheeses.

Main Courses:

We asked around about what are some of Steak and Ale's signature steaks. We only got to try out three of them. Their top sirloins are  Certified Angus Beef, their steaks are Choice USDA. Dinner plates are decorated with a light sprinkling of parsley.

New York Strip with twin lobster tails.

We cheated a bit and asked for twin lobster tales with our New York Strip Steak  If you want the tenderness of filet with the unbeatable flavor of NY Strip then this should be your choice. A healthy 14 oz. portion that melts in your mouth. Properly seared and served medium rare. The lobster tails topped off this prime dish and were tender and luscious. Choice of rice or baked or sweet potato.

Nine Pepper Filet Mignon

A 9 oz choice tenderloin seasoned with nine different peppers (tasty, not hot) and served with brandy peppercorn sauce. Tender like you have never had. Baked potato with all the trimmings.

Top Sirloin and Hawaiian Chicken.

A 7 oz. top sirloin, Certified Angus Beef, served tender and juicy along with Hawaiian Chicken that you can cut with a fork.

Summary:

If you crave for a tender steak, a great salad and a meal done to perfection than Steak and Ale is your choice.